Release Date: October 14,2020
Harvest Mart Will Bring Fresh Food and Handmade Goods to Lock 3
October 14, 2020 - Akron, Ohio — Downtown Akron will serve up fresh food and handcrafted goods from local farmers, artists and artisans during Harvest Mart on Saturday, October 17 and 24, from 1 to 5 p.m. both days. The market is part of a month packed with physically distanced activities for all ages being offered in downtown Akron with the recent reopening of Main Street. Visitors can expect a selection of Ohio apples, pumpkins, gourds and late summer produce, along with pasture-fed, hormone-free chicken, turkey, beef and more, alongside baked goods, original art, jewelry and even handcrafted cutting boards, spoons and spatulas.
Harvest Mart is a collaborative effort between market organizer J Hudson, Downtown Akron Partnership (DAP) and Lock 3. Hudson is the organizer behind the successful Hudson Farmers' Market and is curating Harvest Mart specifically for downtown Akron. Bringing a gluten-free vendor and a farmer with pasture-fed meats to Lock 3 were priorities.
"I try to offer a variety of vendors at my markets," Hudson said. "A good example is Minus G. They make gluten-free mixes (bread, bread, pancakes) and in my opinion, their mixes are the best-tasting g-free products around and they are local."
"Tea Hill Farms will also be at Harvest Mart with pasture-raised, hormone-free chicken, turkey, duck, pork, lamb and beef. If you've never had their meat, you'll immediately taste a difference," he said.
Harvest Mart will be staged in Lock 3 along Main Street. Since Harvest Mart also occurs in the DORA, visitors age 21 and over can purchase adult beverages from The Lockview, Barley House or Lock 3 in special DORA cups and enjoy them as they shop.
Other events in Lock 3 on Harvest Mart days include Monster Rocktober, hosted by Akron Children's Museum for kids and families. DAP will lead a pair of Rediscover Downtown Scooter Tours on both dates, and Lock 3 will host a concert from Akron rockers Lady Lyre on the 17th from 7 - 9 pm, and free movie night on the 24th at 8 pm, screening Hotel Transylvania. More events and experiences are being added to Lock 3 and Main Street as a part of #PictureYourselfOnMain, a campaign offered by DAP. More Picture Yourself on Main programs can be viewed on DAP's website: https://bit.ly/
"Picture Yourself on Main is an invitation to everyone to be a part of the reopening of Main Street in Downtown Akron. There are opportunities to enjoy new, iconic sights and experiences you can only have downtown, so we are encouraging visitors to come for one destination and stay for another," said DAP Communication Director Dominic Caruso. "We want you to share your experiences in downtown with #PictureYourselfOnMain or #PictureYourselfAkron."
All Harvest Mart vendors will be wearing masks and will have hand sanitizer at their tents. The market will have one-way traffic signs set up to ensure an orderly flow of visitors and make it easier to maintain physical distancing. Market organizers ask that shoppers refrain from touching vendors' merchandise and instead ask the vendor to bag it for you. Bring a reusable bag to transport purchases home. All visitors should also wear masks. Picnic tables near the stage at Lock 3 will be available for shoppers wanting to rest, eat or drink.